With your help and hard work we have made it through one of the hardest challenges our city has had to face with the $40+ million dollar deficit. We would like to thank everyone who joined us at one of the many meetings we have held, contributed to ideas, helped at events, and those who spread the word to their co-workers, friends, and family.  We have accomplished a many things and still have much to do.  Below is what we have accomplished and what is to come.

Tasks We Have Accomplished

• We have conducted a Self Assessment of Toledo
• Updated Toledo’s Strategic Plan from version 1.0 to version 2.0
• We have completed the transition process and team reports
• Successfully engaged the city in the Budget Crisis Working Meetings, all of which included City Leadership, Districts, CSI, & Council
• Balanced the Budget!

This past week the leadership team evaluated over 120 ideas for cutting cost, making concessions, and revenue generating.  These ideas came from multiple CSI meetings and the leadership of Toledo.

The meeting entailed the city’s leadership prioritizing 120+ budget fixing ideas In relation to three areas. These three areas were budget content (Directly impacting the budget now), process (How to collaborate), and parking lot for the future (long term ideas).

At this meeting The Future of Toledo website was officially launched, to connect in all citizens of Toledo and the region to contribute their own ideas, learn more about the budget process, read Mayor Bell’s letter, and invite others to join.

This past Wednesday, the leadership team discussed and determined options & consequences for cutting cost, making concessions, and revenue generating.  This was the last meeting for the team before the deadline to submit a balanced budget proposal to city council by March 1.

City leaders looked at and prioritized ideas that will have an impact on the budget this fiscal year.  After looking at these ideas they then grouped them into three areas, A, B, and C.  A were for ideas that would be the ideal plan for the budget. B were for ideas that were more of a feasible plan to happen. C were for ideas that were  an alternative if if A and B could not be achieved.  After discussing which ideas should be in A, B, and C they then took it a step future and identified consequences if they could not be achieved.

Some of the options mentioned and discussed at the various tables are as follows:

This past week has been a busy week for the Bell Administration, Citizen Special Investigation task force (CSI), and city leaders.  The CSI task force has held multiple meetings to discuss the budget deficit and plan.  The will continue to meet until a balanced budget proposal is completed and presented.

CSI met this past Thursday with city leadership for the first in a series of Budget Working Meetings.  These meetings include business leaders, union leaders, government Directors, and City Council members to discuss Toledo’s multi-million dollar deficit.  The meeting included a budget panel that consisted of Deputy Mayor, Steve Herwat, Finance Director, Patrick McLean, and Clarence Coleman, Commissioner – Taxation/Treasury.  The leadership then asked questions and gave feedback on what they heard.

The next steps include weekly Budget Working Meetings with city leadership, along with District Budget Meeting to be held in the communities.  The goal of the meetings is to develop a common understanding of the current financial situation along with potential scenarios and options for addressing the deficit.  City Council desires to collect citizen input regarding priority services and other budget related issues.

To read what the Bell administration is asking of departments please read the following article.